Lessons learned from thrilling international cycling in Jamaica

Organized by Carlton Simmonds and his team at Simmonds High Velocity, in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board, the seamless execution of the event reaffirmed Jamaica’s ability to host world-class sporting competitions. As a growing event, the Classic has immense potential for further expansion and improvement in the years ahead. 

For local clubs and cyclists, the race provided invaluable exposure to elite professional cycling. Many seized the opportunity to learn and refine their skills, aiming to elevate their performance across all aspects of the sport. 

Among the local teams, Elevation Cycling Club — founded in 2021 — entered with high expectations despite their relative newness to the sport. Though they didn’t surpass last year’s performance in a tougher field, the experience served as another crucial learning opportunity for the Old Harbour-based club. 

“It was a tough experience,” admitted Jaequan Dixon, Elevation’s 19-year-old rising star and a three-time national junior champion now in his first senior year. “I learned a lot — positioning is key, conserving energy, staying in the draft… things that seem basic but make a major difference.”

Dixon’s observations were telling. From the outset, the contrast in approach between local and international riders — whether racing or not — was evident. The elite competitors maintained blistering speeds averaging over 30 km/h, a benchmark local riders can currently only aspire to. However, the gap is understandable given that international cyclists race full-time, while Jamaican riders balance training with full-time jobs. 

Dixon, who placed second among local riders and fifth in the U-23 category, emphasized the need for intense preparation: “You have to race in training to compete at this level.” 

His teammate Jerome Forrest remains optimistic about closing the gap. “It was a rough experience,” he conceded after Sunday’s final stage, “but with proper preparation, you can outperform these guys.” Ambitious as it may sound, his belief reflects a necessary mindset to bridge the vast divide between local and international cycling. 

The 31-year-old Forrest, who battled a chest cold during the race, added: “This is international-level competition. With more training, I could have done better.” 

If Jamaican riders hope to narrow this gap — which may widen as more elite international competitors join future editions — the work must begin now. Andrew Ramsay (AVR Racing) was the top local finisher, but his 31st-place overall finish, trailing champion Sergio Montoya (Nu Columbia) by eight minutes and five hundredth  seconds, underscores the challenge ahead. 

Velana Creary, president of Elevation Cycling Club, remains undeterred. “Every experience is a learning process,” she said. “We’re ready for the next challenge.” 

As the leader of one of Jamaica’s top cycling clubs, her attitude bodes well for the sport’s development. The organizers, too, deserve credit for elevating the event to UCI 2.2 category status, allowing riders to earn ranking points toward Olympic and global championship qualification. 

Looking ahead, Danyu Dacres, the event’s head of finance, highlighted promotional efforts as a key focus for 2026. The enthusiastic crowds lining the routes added tremendous energy, and Dacres aims to amplify that spectacle. 

“That’s where we’re going to take it for 2026,” he told journalists post-race. 

If organizers can attract even larger crowds — hundreds, if not thousands — the event could further bolster Jamaica’s thriving tourism market, solidifying the Classic as a must-see spectacle on the international cycling calendar.